Samsung Galaxy Note 2 N7100 received its first official Jelly Bean update via Android 4.1.2 XXALJ1 ROM in October last year. Since then, a spate of custom ROMs and a handful of official Jelly Bean upgrades have swarmed the flagship device.

Just a few days ago, the popular handset got its official Jelly Bean update via Android 4.1.2 XXDMB5 firmware for Middle East region. Now, the latest Android 4.1.2 XXDMB6 Jelly Bean firmware brings a few bug-fixes and minor feature enhancements over its previous build - XXDMB5. The latest official firmware is now available for download through Samsung KIES as well as manually using this guide.

NOTE: This is an unbranded firmware exclusively released for the UK and European region only. However, it can be installed on any unlocked Galaxy Note 2 (except those bought from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan regions). Note that IBTimes UK will not be held liable if the device is damaged as a result of installing the firmware. The instructions provided in this guide are meant for reference purpose only.

Android 4.1.2 XXDMB6 official firmware and the instructions provided in this guide are applicable for the Galaxy Note 2 N7100 model only. Do not attempt this procedure on any other device, as it may hard brick or permanently damage the device. Verify the device's model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone.

Backup the important data and settings on the phone to avoid data loss during firmware installation. It is recommended to use one of the custom recovery tools such as ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP for data backup, as it creates a complete image of the current phone setup.

Ensure that USB Debugging mode is enabled on the phone by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (if the device is running Android 4.0 or later) or go to Settings > Applications > Development (if the phone is running Android 2.3 or earlier).

Make sure that the phone has at least 85 per cent battery charge.

Double check to see that the device is factory unlocked and not locked to a specific carrier.

As this is an official release, root access to the device will be lost soon after installing the firmware. It is imperative to root the device again (check our rooting tutorial below) to regain full system access, and be able to install third-party root-based apps, custom ROMs and latest system tweaks on it.

1. Power OFF the phone and boot it into Download Mode. To do so, press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together, until the Samsung logo or the red and yellow text appears on the screen.

2. Launch ODIN on computer and connect the phone to it while the phone is still in Download Mode.

3. When the phone connects successfully, one of the ID: COM boxes will indicate yellow with the corresponding COM port number. This process might take about five minutes to complete. So, leave it alone.

4. Now, choose the files that must be flashed or installed on the phone, which can be found among the extracted files in Step 1.

Click 'PDA' checkbox and choose the file named '.tar' or '.md5'.

Select 'Phone' checkbox and choose the file named 'MODEM'. Ignore this step if such file is missing.

Choose 'CSC' checkbox and select the file named 'CSC'. Ignore this step if there is no such file.

Click 'PIT' checkbox and choose the .pit file. Ignore this step if such file is absent.

5. In ODIN, enable Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options. In case of Re-Partition option, check it ONLY if a .pit file was chosen in the previous step.

6. Now, tap Start button in ODIN and the firmware installation process will begin. It will take just a few minutes to complete.

7. The phone will reboot once the firmware installation is done. When the home screen appears, disconnect the phone from computer.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 N7100 is now updated to latest Android 4.1.2 XXDMB6 official firmware. Go to Settings > About phone to verify the firmware version installed.

Now that the phone has been successfully updated to the latest official firmware, users can now root their device with ODIN flash tool using this guide.

Step 3 - Turn off the phone and boot it into Download Mode. To do so, Press and hold Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together, until the Samsung logo or the red and yellow text appears on the screen.

Step 4 - Launch ODIN on computer and connect the phone to it while the phone is still in Download Mode.

Step 5 - When the phone connects successfully, one of the ID: COM boxes will indicate yellow with the corresponding COM port number. This process is time-consuming and might take about five minutes to complete. So, leave it alone.

Step 6 - Now, choose the files that need to be flashed or installed on the phone, which can be found among the extracted files in Step 1.

Click the 'PDA' checkbox and choose the file "cwm6-root-note2.tar".

Step 7 - In ODIN, enable Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options.

Step 8 - Now, hit Start button in ODIN and the root installation process will begin. It might take just a few minutes to complete.

Step 9 - Once the root installation is done, the phone will reboot automatically. When the home screen appears, just disconnect the phone from computer.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is now rooted on official Android 4.1.2 XXDMB6 Jelly Bean firmware. Check for the Superuser app in the phone's apps list to verify if root installation is successful. Alternatively, download and install Root Checker app to confirm if root is installed and working correctly.